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I don't see podcasts as an alternative to radio, but just the new radio. Like how Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu are just the new tv. Perhaps this is because I have always listened to a lot of NPR podcasts, such as This American Life, which are also broadcast on NPR radio stations. Of course, I also listen to a lot of other podcasts, some by people who mainly do podcasts, and quite a few others affiliated with some publication.

But it's, in a sense, a lot more open. There are a lot of people who couldn't get radio shows out there making podcasts (Chapo Trap House is an obvious example of something that's a phenomenon but probably wouldn't be put on broadcast radio) or else smaller radio stations getting far bigger reach.

The reason I believe it's an overlapping substitute at least is because I listen to NPR 100% on podcast. I haven't tuned into a live NPR broadcast in years. I don't think I'm the only one.

But I agree it's kind of a new format, with new behaviours, much like Netflix.

My favorite show was always Prairie Home Companion, which they could never get on podcast anyway. But I stopped listening to it after Garrison Keillor left anyway.

You should give it another go. I think Chris Thile is doing a great job carrying the show forward. They still do all the radio skit acts, but they've mixed in more live music.

The name of the show has changed to Live From Here for anyone interested.

I'm with sibling comment, give it another go. Thile carries his weight, and frankly I thought Keillor was getting old, cranky, and past his expiration date. The music is better, Thile can actually sing (in contrast to the previous host), and the skits are just as funny as always.

And though a bit niche, if you enjoy world-class mandolin playing, you'll do far worse than Chris Thile. Man, mandolin or not, if you just enjoy good musicianship, give it a listen.

I haven't tuned into a live NPR broadcast in years. I don't think I'm the only one.

Even stuff that has to be listened to live, such as "Live from Here" (what used to be Prairie Home Companion), I connect the phone to a BT speaker and use the local NPR-affiliate app. Once in a great while I'll turn on NPR in the car, which is the only use I have for an FM receiver these days.

>>> legitimization of the medium by semi-famous people

Cultural disconnect due to generation gap at play here too.

It's the difference between say, Adam22 and LenaThePlug talking to XXXTentacion about growing up in Lauderdale, FL and getting discovered via Instagram. Basically, an ex-pro skateboarder and webcam performer chilling with a rapper and his crew in the comfort of their own garage.

Versus Terry Gross asking Jonah Hill about his new 90s nostalgia film in the Fresh Air studio. The former represents a germane, bottom-up emerging sensibility. While the latter is the same commodification of "indie" culture we have seen a thousand times before.

Just for the record, Adam22 was a BMXer

>Podcasts are enjoying a renaissance possibly due to the legitimization of the medium by semi-famous people, and due to some proper distribution outlets finally appearing.

Or it could be a simpler explanation: people are commuting more. It's something that you can "fire and forget" if driving, and doesn't rely on the data plan if you go through a tunnel.

Are people commuting more? If anything there has been a revival of urban areas and millenials have prioritized cities over things like owning a car. Podcasts are easier than radio for mass transit commutes, so maybe that's part of it?

Radio is actually more accessible on the commute than podcasts; in fact, it's the only place many people even have a radio!

I think the commute may be the last bastion of radio.

I listen to podcasts in the car but there's definitely some friction involved. You have to add episodes you want to listen to to a playlist and skipping to the end of an episode or picking a different one is all sort of fiddly when you're driving. In my experience, trying to control the whole thing by voice just doesn't work.

So there's something to be said for just leaving the radio on your station of choice and listening to that.

anecdotally, at least, I've seen a huge increase in podcast listening, and conversations about podcasts, by people who don't drive or commute much (in The Netherlands). It's become an actual thing, I'd say, and among people who aren't typical 'techies'.

I think it's basically Netflix/Spotify for radio. Most of these people moved away from television to Netflix, spend most of their time listening to Spotify or, less and less, Soundcloud, and may or may not have gotten into YouTube, but clearly want something audio-only to put on in the background, listen to before bed, and definitely commute with, just not by car (because on the tram/train/bus you need to be able to pause, just as you now expect to be able to with shows and music).

I agree. I actually think it's the reverse - the rise of podcasts signals the end of the decades-long fad of 3 minute soundbite discussions via talking heads on primetime news outlets. Regardless of political persuasion, people just want to hear long form in-depth discussion, and podcasts are well suited for that.